James Gunn Will Write, Direct ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Sequel (Video)

Comic-Con 2014: The original writer of ‘Guardians’ tells TheWrap that Gunn will make the sequel

James Gunn will write and direct the sequel to “Guardians of the Galaxy,” his co-writer Nicole Perlman told TheWrap.

The positive buzz enveloping the movie, due out next week, has spawned frequent chatter about a sequel. Marvel has not officially announced one, though it may at its Comic-Con panel Saturday. Representatives for Marvel did not offer any comment.

Gunn has told people that he would like to make a sequel, but it depends on how the movie fares at the box office. Advanced tracking projects it will gross at least $60 million over its opening weekend — and others are even more bullish. IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond went out of his way this week to say the movie would overperform.

“They started to figure it out pretty quick when they started getting the reactions from the audience; it was a very positive reaction,” Perlman told TheWrap. “Of course they would want to make a sequel as long as it does well and people are excited about it, they’ll wanna do a sequel. So, it’s going to happen.”

As for Gunn?

“James will be directing ‘Guardians 2,’ so he would also be writing ‘Guardians 2,'” said Perlman.

Perlman sounded less certain about her own involvement, but said she would love to work with Marvel again. She got the job writing the first film out of Marvel’s writers program, which asks scribes to take a crack at adapting a few comics. Perlman chose “Guardians” because it blended science fiction with humor, and it became her first produced film credit.

It was also a huge leap for Gunn, who inherited Perlman’s initial script and put his own spin on it. His two previous films, “Slither” and “Super,” cost a fraction of what Marvel sank into “Guardians.” He has not signed on to direct another project — though many have been offered — so another “Guardians” is in his future.